Impressing the Boss

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Topic
2 of 10

9Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.

- Titus 2:9-10

The majority of us have an employer or supervisor of some kind who oversees our work. In this passage, Paul reminds us that we have a specific responsibility to provide a witness of our faith to this person.

After all, very few people actually pay attention to our work and so the one who does so can be impressed for good or bad depending on what he learns about us on the job. In this regard, Paul gives workers three things to do in order to influence the boss in a Christian way:

1. Be obedient

Let the boss know that you understand and accept your respective positions.

2. Be pleasant

There is nothing more annoying for employers about an employee who complains about everything and turns every matter into an issue.

3. Be honest

The temptation is always great to take home company stock, cut time, pad accounts. The boss always knows who's stealing even though it can't be proven.

Paul tells us that most employers know the basics of the faith but through these methods servants (employees) can adorn (make it shine like jewelry) the gospel so it becomes desirable for themselves. Are we impressing the boss in a way that really counts?

Discussion Questions

  1. Describe the character and qualities of the best boss/teacher you've ever had.
  2. If your boss/teacher was talking about you as their employee to someone else, what positive and/or negative things would they say about you?
  3. How could your present boss improve his/her style of leadership?
  4. Discuss the most effective ways to share your faith in the workplace.
  5. How does a Christian resolve a dispute with a non-Christian co-worker?